Oct 13, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog. 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog. [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Criminal Justice and Criminology, M.A.


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General Program Information


Larry Miller, Ph.D., Department Chair
201 Rogers-Stout Hall
Box 70555
Phone: (423) 439-5964
e-mail: millerls@etsu.edu

Bradley Edwards, Graduate Coordinator
201G Rogers-Stout Hall
Box 70555
Phone: (423) 439-4671
e-mail: edwardsb@etsu.edu

Chris Rush, Graduate Coordinator Online Track
Rogers-Stout 201H
Box 70555
Phone: (423) 439-5963

Web address: www.etsu.edu/cas/cj/

Faculty: Bradley Edwards; Richard Hough; Larry Miller; Dustin Osborne; Jennifer Pealer; Nicole Prior; L.Chris Rush (Burkey).

The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers the Master of Arts degree, which is designed to enhance student understanding of crime, societal reaction to crime, and efforts to control it. It prepares the student for advancement in criminal justice professions, teaching at the community college level, and study at the doctoral level.

Program Admission Requirements


The minimum requirements for consideration are as follows:

  1. Completion of an undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college or university.
  2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all completed undergraduate coursework.
  3. Submission of three letters of recommendation from individuals able to speak to the applicant’s strengths and potential for graduate-level study.
  4. A 3-5 page (double-spaced) personal statement discussing the applicant’s academic/career experiences, motivation for pursuing a graduate degree, and how the degree will aid in achieving their professional goals.

Criminal Justice and Criminology, M.A. Degree Requirements: 33-36 credits


Core Requirements 18 credits
Thesis or Non-Thesis Option 15-18 credits
TOTAL 33-36 credits

Thesis: The thesis option requires 33 total credits.

Non-Thesis: The project option requires 36 total credits.

Thesis Option: 15 credits


  • (1-3 credits) (Take for 3 credits)
  • Advisor Approved Electives (12 credits)

Non-Thesis Option: 18 credits


  • Advisor Approved Electives (18 credits)

Students must successfully pass a comprehensive examination. The examination will consist of written essays graded by the graduate faculty of the department. Students who have completed 27 credits and ALL core courses within the program of study are eligible to take the comprehensive examination. The student must apply to take the examination by the end of the third week of the fall or spring semester in which the examination is to be administered. Students failing any part of the comprehensive examination will be permitted to reschedule the examination no sooner than one (1) semester later. Examinations are not administered during the summer. In the event of a second failure of any exam area(s), the student will be required to repeat coursework supporting those failed areas prior to a final examination attempt. Any third attempt at the comprehensive examination will be final; students failing the third attempt will be dismissed from the program.

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